TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Fermanagh Group of Riding for the Disabled 14 June 2023
Charity No. NI 104289
The Charity exists to provide therapeutic riding and associated activities to children in the age group 5-13 years old with special needs in the Fermanagh area.
The Principal Address of the Charity and contact for the Charity Commission is Mrs Marina Kidney, 97 Gola Road, Cappy, Tamlaght, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh BT74 4NQ
Our riding sessions are held at the Cafre Campus of the Enniskillen Agricultural College where we use their covered arena for most of the sessions. The Group meets on Tuesday mornings during term time.
We have 4 Coaches at the present time, Barbara Lunny who is both our Head Coach and Regional Coach, Rushelle Kerr, Erika Crawford and Joan Morton. Rushelle brings Penny and Tornado. Hopefully Erika will be able to continue coaching in September. Stephanie Day is our Safeguarding Officer and Donna Hamill is in charge of Access NI. Barbara Lunny does the Green Card training for all new volunteers. Maeve Lunny brings Paddy and Maguire. We have 23 volunteers which is wonderful as not everyone can attend each session.
On 6th September 12 volunteers attended a First Aid Course in the College with Aaron Muldoon, and on 13th September we had our first RDA sessions with the children. This year we had 4 children from Willowbridge School, 3 children from the Model School and 1 child from Holy Trinity School. On 27th September both Penny and Tornado had their vaccines after the RDA session. Maeve’s ponies are vaccinated by her at her practice. Throughout the year all the coaches worked hard with the children on their riding and equine knowledge. They all did well and achieved both Grade 1 and Grade 2 certificates and badges.
We had our Christmas Party in the College on 6th December ( no Covid restrictions). Archie Burrell was Santa once again. All the children were in high spirits and really enjoyed the morning.
We started back again on 10th January - but with only Maguire and Paddy as Rushelle was unable to come. The children who were waiting their turn - very patiently - had a chance to go and watch the Farrier in the College yard shoeing their horses. The children were fascinated. We had a few cancellations due to the cold weather and snow - and a Teacher’s Strike. After the half-term on 14th February, we had some new children from Willowbridge.
On 24th April we were able to use the outdoor arena as the College needed to use our usual indoor arena. It was a new experience for our riders and they loved it. The weather was dry every week from then until the end of term and we had all our lessons outside. It has been wonderful!!
To celebrate King Charles’ Coronation, Enniskillen RDA attended The Big Community Paddle and Picnic and Volunteer Village at Enniskillen Castle on 8th May. We had a stand with information on what we do to encourage new volunteers. To date we hope that some of those who signed up will be joining us in September. The following day we had our first picnic and Ride at Killyreagh, very kindly hosted by our Chairman Lord Anthony Hamilton and his wife Katie - wonderful weather and beautiful grounds. Our second Picnic and Ride was at Ely Lodge on 6th June. We were made very welcome by Mr and Mrs Ian Cathcart. We finished for the summer holidays on 6 June.